Albanese calls Ley's Mars analogy disrespectful to First Nations Australians

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese criticized deputy Opposition leader Sussan Ley for comparing the First Fleet's arrival in Australia to a mission to Mars. He called the analogy "strange" and "disrespectful" to Indigenous Australians. Ley made the comparison during an Australia Day speech, suggesting both groups faced new challenges in unfamiliar environments. Albanese emphasized that Australia was not uninhabited when the First Fleet arrived in 1788. Matthew Canavan, a colleague of Ley, defended her comments on social media, arguing that history often overlooks the struggles of early settlers. He stated that their sacrifices contributed to modern Australian life.